Large crowd in downtown core joins global opposition to newly elected U.S. president

As millions marched on all seven continents in a pushback to newly inaugurated U.S. president Donald Trump, an enthusiastic crowd of some 200 joined them on the downtown sidewalks of Stratford on Saturday afternoon.

“I wanted to be a part of this day,” said Jenny Stacey, who organized the peaceful march with a social media post just Thursday on Facebook.

“Stratford has many, many powerful women in this community, and men who support them. Growing up with a feminist mother, I just felt in my heart that this was something I needed to do.

“You could feel the power of people coming together for the cause. It wasn’t a protest, it was a march for humanity and for equality for everyone.”

In what’s been described as a “counterinauguration” after Trump took office on Friday, hundreds of thousands of women gathered in Washington to voice their concerns. Among the many issues they were addressing were immigration and civil rights, to name a few.

“We’re dealing with this president who, what can I say?” said Gail Stacey, mother of Jenny and a veteran of many previous marches in years past that advocated for wage equality and reproductive rights.

“I think in order to have leadership you have to be civil. You have to be civil to other people, have respect, to listen and hear them. And this man did not pass the test of civility.”

Response from bystanders was heartening, both women agreed. Downtown storeowners and shoppers waved their support and passing motorists honked their car horns.

“You could feel the energy,” Gail Stacey said. “There were young children there, and husbands and brothers. I am so happy. Really it was wonderful.”

Jenny Stacey said the event made her even prouder of her home community. The event joined together individuals as one, individuals who each had his or her own reasons for being there.

“It may have been personal, it may have been political,” she said. “I’m just so glad we could come together today and be a part of the world. It’s about change, about love, about equality and being a part of something.”